Improved washing-machine



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IMPROVED WASHING-MACHINE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 40,52E, dated November 3, 1863.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, P. S. WARD, of Millville, in the county of Clayton and State of lowa, have invented a certain new and useful Improvementin flashing-Machines 5 and Ido,

hereby declare the following to be a full and exact description ofthe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making apart of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section of my improved machine at xm, Figs. 2 and 3. p Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same at y y, Figs. l and Fig. 3 is a plan of the same, represeutin g 'some parts broken away.

The nature of my invention consists in a peculiar construction, combination, and arrangement of vibrating and stationary racks secured within a semi-cylindrical tub in such positions and relations 'that a body of clothes within the tub will be forced through the water, squeezed, and constantlychanged in position by the-simple vibration of a pivoted rack, as hereinafter explained.

In order that others skilled in the art to which my invention lappertains may be enabled to fully understand and use the same, l will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

A A represent various parts of the wooden frame of a semi-cylindrical tub, and B the zinc bottom of the same, in the lower part of which is formed a trough or gutter, C, terminating at one end in a spout, c, which may be closed with a plug, D.

E E represent a number of wooded strips placed in parallel positions within the tub, and extending latitudinally over and upon the curved or cylindrical bottom of the same, so as to keep the clothes within the tub from contact therewith and leave spaces through which water may pass whilethe clothes are carried back and forth by the vibrating rack, as hereinafter explained.

F F are stationary racks secured within the semi-cylindrical tub in radial positions about one hundred and iifty degrees apart. Each of the said racks consists of a number of parallel radial bars, f, with angular edges presented downward toward the bottom of the tub.

G represents a Swingin g or vibrating frame hung upon pivots g g. The said frame is provided at its upper end with a hand-bar, H,

and carries at its lower end a rack, I, con-v sisting of a number of vertical bars7 i, presenting on each side angular edges, which, as the frame is vibrated on its pivots, enter .the space between the bars f f of the stationary racks F F, so that clothes will be effectuall y squeezed wit-hout injuriousfriction.

The materials named for making the frame and Vbottom of the tub may be changed as experience or preference dictate. 1 Operation: A sufficient quantity of water or suds being placed in the tub, the clothes (properly soaked) are put into the water on either or both sides of the rack I. The latter is then moved back and forth by applying the hands to the upper horizontal bar, H, and the clothes thereby squeezed alternately against each of the fixed racks F, whereby the water is thoroughly pressed through and out of the clothes, the latter falling down and turning after each operation, so as to be again immersed in the water and thoroughly penetrated thereby, and then again squeezed in a new place and position. This done, the plug D may be removed when all the Water in the tub will be promptly carried olf, and, the plug being replaced and the tub supplied with clean water, the rinsing ofthe clothes may be performed in the manner already explained, after which the water is again run oif and the clothes squeezed as much as practicable between the racks prior to removal from the tub.

The described construction and arrangement of the racks with angular edges projecting between each other as each squeezing action is performed cause them to act with great thoroughness and effect upon the clothes, removing the dirt as effectually las rubbing and without its destructive tendency. The squeezing being done above the surface of the water rids the clothes of water at every stroke. The intervening spaces between the strips E E permit lthe water to pass freely without obstructing the motion of the clothes or causing undue agitation or splashing. It is found that by weighting the upper part of the vibrating frame the washing can be performed with greater ease.

I am aware that the parts of my invention, separately considered, are old, and also that machines operating on the same general principles as mine have before been in use.

Having thus described my invention, what spaces between the bars f, and all the parts I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by are constructed and arranged to operate in Letters Patent, isthe manner and for the purposes specified.

The combination of the semi-cylindrical tub A, strips E, swinging frame Gr, and stationary P. S. WARD.

and vibrating racks F and I, when the said Witnesses:

racks are formed of angular bars f and i, pre- VINCENT HARRISON,

sented edgewise with the bars i opposite the R. A. BARNETT. 

